U.S. patent number 7,686,337 [Application Number 12/026,862] was granted by the patent office on 2010-03-30 for steering column cover assembly and method.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Honda Motor Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ron Myers.
United States Patent |
7,686,337 |
Myers |
March 30, 2010 |
Steering column cover assembly and method
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to steering column
covers, and related assembly methods. According to some embodiments
a steering column cover assembly can include a plurality of
alignment and fastening means. For example, some embodiments
include one or more sets of male/female clips, one or more
track-and-barrel devices, one or more means for accepting a
fastener, and one or more pivoting means. In some embodiments, the
track-and-barrel device can include a feature for seating the
barrel in the track in a snap fitted relation. Some embodiments
comprise a process for using one or more of the foregoing
structures to assemble a column cover.
Inventors: |
Myers; Ron (Raymond, OH) |
Assignee: |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
40930572 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/026,862 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20090194349 A1 |
Aug 6, 2009 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
280/779;
74/492 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D
1/16 (20130101); Y10T 24/2792 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B62D
1/16 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;280/779,775
;74/492,484R ;180/78 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ilan; Ruth
Assistant Examiner: Brown; Drew
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Doell, Esq.; Mark E. Emerson,
Thomson & Bennett
Claims
I claim:
1. A fastening system, comprising: at least one tab member, the tab
member having an inward-facing surface and an outward-facing
surface, and the tab member being disposed on an inside surface or
an outside surface of a first body to be fastened, the first body
to be fastened having an inside surface, an outside surface and at
least one edge surface defining an opening; a barrel member,
disposed on the tab member, having an end extending from a surface
of the tab member and defining an axis; a lateral guide member
having an opening adapted to receive the barrel member, the lateral
guide member being disposed on the inside surface or outside
surface of the second body to be fastened, the second body to be
fastened having an inside surface, an outside surface and at least
one edge surface defining an opening; a track member having an
opening in sliding communication with the lateral guide member, the
track member opening being adapted to receive the barrel member
from the lateral guide member, and the track member opening being
defined by a rail connected to the guide member at a first point
and extending away from the guide member, the rail member looping
back toward the guide member and connecting to a second point on
the guide member; at least one rib member, disposed on the at least
one edge surface of either the first or second body to be fastened;
at least one trough member disposed on the at least one edge
surface of the body to be fastened that opposes the at least one
rib member, and the at least one trough member being adapted to
engage the rib member in a pivoting relation; a male clip member,
the male clip member being disposed on a surface of either the
first or the second body to be fastened; and a female clip member
adapted to mate with the male clip member, the female clip member
being disposed on a surface of the body opposing the male clip
member.
2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab
member, the barrel member, the lateral guide member, the track
member, the at least one rib member, the at least one trough
member, the male clip member, and the female clip member comprise a
pair of mateable molded bodies to be fastened.
3. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the rail defines a
corner disposed between an end of the loop and the second
attachment point, the combination of the corner and the loop
forming a seat for receiving the barrel member.
4. The fastening system of claim 3, wherein the seat for receiving
the barrel member is adapted to receive the barrel member in a snap
fit relation.
5. An automobile steering column cover, comprising: a first cover
portion having an inwardly-curving inner surface and an
outwardly-curving outer surface spaced apart from the inner surface
and defining a thickness, the thickness being bounded by the inner
surface, the outer surface and at least one edge surface, the at
least one edge surface defining at least one open end; a second
cover portion having an inwardly-curving inner surface and an
outwardly-curving outer surface spaced apart from the inner surface
and defining a thickness, the thickness being bounded by the inner
surface, the outer surface and at least one edge surface, the at
least one edge surface defining at least one open end; at least one
tab member, disposed on the at least one edge surface of either the
first cover portion or the second cover portion, and extending from
a portion of the at least one edge surface, the tab having an
inward-facing surface and an outward-facing surface; a barrel
member, disposed on the at least one tab member, having an end
extending from a surface of the at least one tab member and
defining an axis; at least one male clip member, disposed on a
surface of either the first cover portion or the second cover
portion; at least one rib member disposed on the at least one edge
surface of either the first cover portion or the second cover
portion; a lateral guide member, disposed on a surface of the cover
portion opposing the at least one tab member, the lateral guide
member having an opening facing the at least one open end of the
opposing cover portion; at least one track member, disposed on a
surface of the cover portion opposing the at least one tab member,
and having an opening in sliding communication with the lateral
guide member; at least one female clip member, disposed on a
surface of the cover portion opposing the at least one male clip
member, and adapted to receive the at least one male clip member in
a locking relation; and at least one trough member disposed at or
near the at least one edge surface of the cover portion opposing
the at least one rib member, and the at least one trough member
being adapted to engage the rib member in a pivoting relation.
6. The automobile steering column cover of claim 5, wherein the
first cover portion comprises a top portion of a steering column
cover assembly.
7. The automobile steering column cover of claim 5, wherein the
second cover portion comprises a bottom portion of a steering
column cover assembly.
8. The automobile steering column cover of claim 5, wherein the
barrel member extends from the outward-facing surface of the at
least one tab member.
9. The automobile steering column cover of claim 8, wherein the
track opening is defined by a rail connected to the lateral guide
member at a first point and extending away from the lateral guide
member, the rail member looping back toward the lateral guide
member and connecting to a second point on the lateral guide
member.
10. The automobile steering column cover of claim 5, wherein the
rail defines a corner disposed between a closed end of the loop and
the second attachment point, the combination of the corner and the
loop forming a seat adapted to receive the barrel member in a snap
fit relation.
11. The automobile steering column cover of claim 5, wherein the
cover portions comprise one or more molded polymers.
12. A process for assembling a steering column housing, comprising
the steps of: moving one or more housing portions so as to engage
one or more tabs with one or more corresponding tracks integrally
disposed on a second portion of the one or more housing portions;
further moving the one or more housing portions so as to engage in
a locking relation one or more male clip members disposed on one
portion of the housing with one or more corresponding female clip
members disposed on the other portion of the housing; seating one
or more fastener tabs, disposed on one housing portion, against one
or more corresponding ledges disposed on the other housing portion,
and aligning one or more pairs of through-holes defined by the one
or more fastener tabs and a wall of the other housing portion, the
pairs of through-holes being adapted to receive a fastener; and
fastening a first portion of the housing to the second portion of
the housing by installing the fastener in the one or more pairs of
through-holes.
13. The process of claim 1, wherein the first step comprises
engaging the first portion of the housing with the second portion
of the housing in a pivoting relation.
14. The process of claim 12, wherein the step of moving one or more
of the housing portions further comprises pivoting one or more of
the housing portions.
15. The process of claim 12, further comprising the step of moving
one or more of the housing portions so as to engage one or more
tabs of the first portion with a guide member of the second
portion.
16. The process of claim 12, wherein the first portion comprises a
top portion of a steering column housing, and the second portion
comprises a bottom portion of a steering column housing.
17. The process of claim 16, further comprising the step of
mounting the bottom portion of the steering column to a
vehicle.
18. The process of claim 16, wherein the step of moving further
comprises moving the top portion relative to the bottom portion,
while the bottom portion remains in a fixed position.
19. The process of claim 16, wherein the step of moving further
comprises engaging the one or more tabs with the track in a seated
relation.
20. The process of claim 19, wherein the seated relation comprises
a snap fit.
21. An automobile steering column cover, comprising: a pivoting
means for engaging a first portion of a housing with a second
portion of a housing in a pivoting relation; a guiding means for
guiding the first portion of the housing into a mating relation
with the second portion of the housing; a locking means for
engaging the first portion of the housing with the second portion
of the housing in a locking relation; an aligning means for
aligning fastener receptacles of the first portion of the housing
with fastener receptacles of the second portion of the housing; and
a fastening means for fastening the first portion of the housing to
the second portion of the housing.
Description
I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of Invention
This invention relates to cover articles for enclosing mechanisms.
The present invention also relates to processes for assembling such
cover articles.
B. Description of the Related Art
A variety of steering column covers and methods for assembling the
same are presently in existence. Before the present invention, some
steering column covers used a hook and barrel mechanism for
assembling two-part column covers. According to that art, the
barrel resided on a lower cover portion, and the hook on the upper
portion. The hook wrapped around the barrel and guided the two
cover portions into mating alignment. The hook was typically a
molded plastic part. Due to its geometry, a molding tool needed to
move in two dimensions in order to make the part, and the hook also
required excess polymer.
The present invention provides simplified cover article and related
assembly method. Articles according to the present invention are
easier to assemble and more efficient to manufacture than prior
articles.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a fastening
system, comprising: a tab member, the tab having an inward-facing
surface and an outward-facing surface the tab member being
integrally disposed on a first body to be fastened; a barrel
member, integrally disposed on the tab member, having an end
extending from the outward-facing surface of the tab member and
defining an axis, the axis being at an angle approximately
perpendicular to the outward-facing surface of the at least one tab
member; a lateral guide member having an opening, the lateral guide
member being integrally attached to a second body to be fastened; a
track member having an opening in sliding communication with the
lateral guide member, the track member opening being defined by a
rail integrally attached to the guide member at a first point and
extending away from the guide member, the rail member looping back
toward the guide member and integrally attaching to a second point
on the guide member, the rail defining a corner disposed between an
end of the loop and the second attachment point, the combination of
the corner and the loop forming a seat for receiving the barrel
member; a male clip member, the male clip member being attached to
either the first or the second body to be fastened; and a female
clip member adapted to male with the male clip member, the female
clip member being attached to the body opposing the male clip
member.
Some embodiments relate to an automobile steering column cover,
comprising: a first cover portion having an inwardly-curving inner
surface and an outwardly-curving outer surface spaced apart from
the inner surface and defining a thickness, the thickness being
bounded by the inner surface, the outer surface and at least one
edge surface, the at least one edge surface defining at least one
open end; a second cover portion having an inwardly-curving inner
surface and an outwardly-curving outer surface spaced apart from
the inner surface and defining a thickness, the thickness being
bounded by the inner surface, the outer surface and at least one
edge surface, the at least one edge surface defining at least one
open end; at least one tab member, integrally disposed on the at
least one edge surface of either the first cover portion or the
second cover portion, and extending from a portion of the at least
one edge surface, the tab having an inward-facing surface and an
outward-facing surface; a barrel member, integrally disposed on the
at least one tab member, having an end extending from the
outward-facing surface of the at least one tab member and defining
an axis; at least one male clip member, integrally disposed on the
inner surface of either the first cover portion or the second cover
portion at least one rib member, integrally disposed on the at
least one edge surface of either the first cover portion or the
second cover portion; a lateral guide member, integrally disposed
on the inner surface of the cover portion opposing the at least one
tab member, the lateral guide member having an opening facing the
at least one open end of the opposing cover portion; at least one
track member, integrally disposed on the inner surface of the cover
portion opposing the at least one tab member, and having an opening
in sliding communication with the lateral guide member, the track
opening being defined by a rail integrally attached to the lateral
guide member at a first point and extending away from the lateral
guide member, the rail member looping back toward the lateral guide
member and integrally attaching to a second point on the lateral
guide member, the rail defining a corner disposed between an end of
the loop and the second attachment point, the combination of the
corner and the loop forming a seat for receiving the barrel member;
at least one female clip member, integrally disposed on the inner
surface of the cover portion opposing the at least one male clip
member, and adapted to receive the at least one male clip member in
a locking relation; and at least one trough member, wherein the
tough member is integrally disposed at or near the at least one
edge surface of the cover portion opposing the at least one rib
member, and wherein the at least one trough member is adapted to
engage the rib member in a pivoting relation.
Some embodiments relate to a process for assembling a steering
column housing, comprising the steps of: engaging a first portion
of a housing with a second portion of a housing in a pivoting
relation; pivoting one or more of the housing portions so as to
engage the one or more tabs with one or more corresponding tracks
integrally disposed on the second portion of the housing; further
pivoting the one Or more housing portions so as to engage in a
locking relation one or more male clip members integrally disposed
on one portion of the housing with one or more corresponding female
clip members integrally disposed on the other portion of the
housing; seating one or more fastener tabs, disposed on one
portion, against one or more corresponding ledges integrally
disposed on the other portion, and aligning one or more pairs of
through-holes defined by the one or more fastener tabs and the wall
of the other housing portion, the pairs of through-holes being
adapted to receive a fastener; and fastening the first portion of
the housing to the second portion of the housing by installing a
fastener in one or more pairs of through-holes.
Some embodiments relate to an automobile steering column cover,
comprising: a means for engaging a first portion of a housing with
a second portion of a housing in a pivoting relation; a means for
engaging the first portion of the housing with the second portion
of the housing in a spring-loaded relation; a means for engaging
the first portion of the housing with the second portion of the
housing in a locking relation; a means for aligning fastener
receptacles of the first portion of the housing with fastener
receptacles of the second portion of the housing; and a means for
fastening the first portion of the housing to the second portion of
the housing.
Other benefits and advantages will become apparent to those skilled
in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of
the following detailed specification.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and
arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in
detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment comprising a
steering column cover.
FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a lateral guide member and a track
member according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a series of schematic drawings showing a process
embodiment for assembling a steering column cover.
IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As used herein the term "integral" as used alone and in phrases
such as "integrally disposed" include relations where a single body
comprises a plurality of continuous components. For example, a
single continuous body of polymer that is molded to form two or
more distinct components. Accordingly, "integrally disposed"
components include continuous rather than discrete components. As
used herein the terms "attached" and "affixed" include relations
where two or more discrete components are brought together as a
single body, for example, through bonding or fastening. As used
herein the term "disposed" as used alone or in phrases such as
"disposed on" includes relations, such as but not limited to
affixed, attached, and integral. As used herein the term
"connected" includes relations such as affixed, attached, and
integral.
The present invention generally relates to steering column cover
assemblies. Some embodiments include processes for assembling a
steering column cover. Other embodiments relate to articles
comprising a steering column cover.
According to one embodiment, an article according to the present
invention includes a first cover portion and a second cover
portion. The first and second portions are each adapted to mate
with the other in a fixed relation. Together, the first and second
portions comprise a steering column cover. In one embodiment the
first portion comprises a top portion, and the second portion
comprises a bottom portion. However, other configurations are also
within the scope of the invention. For example, the cover portions
may be left and right portions or oblique portions. Both portions
of the steering column cover can include any of a variety of
fastening members, and one or more pivoting members. Some fastening
and pivoting members are described in the following paragraphs.
Some embodiments include a fastening member in the form of a guide
component. The guide component can comprise at least two separate
and complimentary parts: a track member, and a barrel member. In
general, the track and barrel are disposed on opposing parts, and
are mated together during assembly. The track can comprise two
rails spaced apart to form a gap for receiving the barrel member
and guiding it along a predetermined path. According to some
embodiments, the rails may be approximately parallel along their
entire length, or along a portion of their length, or may not be
parallel along any portion of their length. For example, one rail
may form a corner, while the other rail remains straight or curves
smoothly. In one embodiment the rails have an oblique orientation
to each other along at least a portion of their lengths. According
to some embodiments, the rails can comprise different portions of a
single rail. For example, the rail may form a loop having two legs
and a bending region connecting the two legs. In other embodiments,
the legs of the loop-shaped rail may follow a curved path, a
straight path or any combination thereof.
In one embodiment, the rails extend away from an open end and
approach each other at an oblique angle. According to this
embodiment, a barrel member can enter the track member at the wide
end, and is progressively guided into a more narrow region of the
track as the barrel is further engaged with the track. Thus, the
track is tapered. Such tapering can simplify assembly by allowing
the parts to mate without the need for careful manual alignment.
Rather, the parts are able to self-align.
In a variation of the foregoing embodiment the wide end of the
track serves to accept a tab member that is rotated into a seated
position in the track. For example, where a first and second cover
portion are mated in a pivoting motion, a tab having a rectangular
shape will subtend an arc as it moves into a seated position.
Having a track with a wide open end with a suitable taper provides
space for the tab to subtend an arc as it seats.
In some embodiments where the rails comprise different portions of
the same rail, the bending region connecting the rails may be
adapted to form a seat for receiving the barrel member in a locking
relation. For example, the rails can be spaced apart by a distance
d.sub.t1 at a first end, where d.sub.t1 is larger than the largest
distance across the barrel member d.sub.b. The rails can become
gradually closer as they proceed away from the first end until the
distance between them d.sub.t2 is less than or equal to d.sub.b.
According to some embodiments, such a spacing enables a snap fit
between the track and the barrel member. In another embodiment,
d.sub.t2 is greater than d.sub.b. Accordingly, in such embodiments
no snap fit exists between the track and the barrel member.
The length over which the distance between the rails is d.sub.t2
may be small relative to the d.sub.b. For example, the length may
be from less than about 0.01 d.sub.b to about 0.99 d.sub.b The
length may also be from less than about 0.01 d.sub.b to about 0.1
d.sub.b, from about 0.1 d.sub.b to about 0.2 d.sub.b, from about
0.2 d.sub.b to about 0.3 d.sub.b, from about 0.3 d.sub.b to about
0.4 d.sub.b, from about 0.4 d.sub.b to about 0.5 d.sub.b, from
about 0.5 d.sub.b to about 0.6 d.sub.b, from about 0.6 d.sub.b to
about 0.7 d.sub.b, from about 0.7 d.sub.b to about 0.8 d.sub.b,
from about 0.8 d.sub.b to about 0.9 d.sub.b, or even from about 0.9
d.sub.b to about 0.99 d.sub.b. The distance between the rails can
increase as they extend still farther away from the first end, and
may form a gap d.sub.t3 sufficiently wide to comprise a seat for
accepting the barrel member in a snap fitted relation. In some
embodiments d.sub.t3 is greater than d.sub.b.
In some embodiments, the guide component may include a component in
addition to the track member and the barrel member. In some
embodiments the third component can comprise a lateral guide
member. Lateral guide members can be disposed at the open end of
the track, and in sliding communication with the track. According
to some embodiments, the lateral guide member can be adapted to
receive and surround a perimeter of the barrel member. In some
embodiments the lateral guide member can also serve to mount the
track member to a steering column cover or housing.
In some embodiments, the guide component may include a tab member
for supporting the barrel member. A tab member may have an
inward-facing surface and an outward-facing surface spaced apart
from the inward-facing surface and defining a thickness. In some
embodiments the barrel member may be disposed on the outward-facing
surface, and may extend away from the surface so as to define a
longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis can be perpendicular to
the surface, or it may be at an angle other than 90 degrees
relative to the surface.
Some embodiments may include fastening members that comprise male
and female mating clips. The male and female clips can be disposed
on opposing portions of the steering column cover, and can be mated
together during assembly of the cover. In some embodiments, more
than one pair of clips can be present.
Some embodiments may include fastening members that comprise one or
more fastener tab members and ledge members. A fastener tab
comprises a portion of a steering column cover that includes at
least one through-hole for accepting a fastener. The opposing
portion of the cover includes the ledge, and a second through-hole.
When the opposing parts are mated, the fastener tab sits on the
ledge and the two through-holes are aligned so that they can
simultaneously accept the same fastener. Suitable tabs can have any
of a variety of shapes including rounded, triangular, rectangular,
and polygonal. Accordingly, the ledge member can take any form that
permits proper alignment of the through-holes. Thus, suitable ledge
members can comprise one or more pegs, a rectangular bar, an arc or
any other suitable shape or combination of shapes.
Some embodiments include one or more pivoting members. A pivoting
member enables the mating portions of the steering column cover to
engage each other at one or more points in a pivoting relation. For
example, a top cover portion may be equipped with a male pivot
member, and a bottom cover portion may be equipped with a female
pivot member. Accordingly, when the male and female pivoting
members are mated they permit the top and bottom cover portions to
pivot relative to each other. In one embodiment, the male pivot
member can comprise a rib structure. A rib structure can include a
portion that is raised above a surface of the cover portion upon
which it is disposed, and can have an elongate shape. The female
pivot structure can comprise a portion that is recessed below a
surface of a cover portion opposing the cover portion having the
male structure. Accordingly, the female pivoting member is capable
of receiving the male pivoting member, and both members are
suitably shaped to enable a rocking or pivoting motion. Suitable
shapes generally include rounded structures. For example, rounded
shapes can include, without limitation, arcs, cylinders,
ellipsoids, azimuths, spheres, and the like, or any combination
thereof.
In some embodiments the fastening members and/or pivoting members
are integral parts of the steering column cover. For example, in
some embodiments the steering column cover and the fastening and
pivoting members all comprise a single molded part. In other
embodiments the fastening and pivoting members are separate parts
and are affixed to the steering column cover. For example, some
methods of affixing include, without limitation, bolting, riveting,
bonding or screwing. In still other embodiments, some of the
fastening and pivoting members can be integral parts of the
steering column cover, while other fastening and pivoting members
are affixed thereto.
A wide variety of material choices can be appropriate for
fabricating embodiments of the present invention. Some embodiments
can comprise one or more moldable polymer resins. For example, some
resins include, without limitation polyimides, polyphenols,
polyamides, polyolefins, epoxides, polyacrylates, nylons,
polycarbonates, polyaromatics, polystyrenes, and the like, or any
combination thereof. Some embodiments, can include components
comprising materials other than moldable polymer resins. For
example, some components can comprise one or more metals.
According to one embodiment, a process within the scope of the
present invention comprises the following steps. Engaging at least
one barrel member of a first cover portion with a corresponding
guide component of a second cover portion. In some embodiments,
this engagement restricts the lateral range of motion of the first
cover portion relative to the second cover portion, and thus serves
to laterally align the parts for further mating. Engaging at least
one male pivot member of one cover portion with a corresponding
female pivot member of an opposing cover portion. Pivoting one or
more of the cover portions so that the barrel member seats into a
corresponding seat portion of the guide component. Engaging a male
clip with a female clip. Seating a fastener tab against a ledge,
and thereby aligning a through-hole of the fastener tab with a
through-hole of the opposing cover portion. Installing a fastener
through the aligned through-holes. One of skill in the art will
recognize that some steps may occur in a variety of sequences, or
may occur simultaneous with other steps.
According to another embodiment, a process within the scope of the
invention comprises the following steps. Engaging the male and
female pivot members of two mateable steering column cover
portions. Pivoting one or more of the cover portions so that a
barrel member engages at least one guide component. Further
pivoting the cover portions so that the barrel member seats into a
corresponding seat portion of the guide component. Engaging a male
clip with a female clip. Seating a fastener tab against a ledge,
and thereby aligning a through-hole of the fastener tab with a
through-hole of the opposing cover portion. Installing a fastener
through the aligned through-holes. One of skill in the art will
recognize that some steps may occur in a variety of sequences, or
may occur simultaneous with other steps.
In some embodiments, the step of seating the barrel member into a
corresponding seat portion, further comprises snap fitting the
barrel member into the seat portion. In another embodiment, the
step of seating does not include a snap-fitted relation between the
seat portion and the barrel member. Rather, the barrel member is
held in the seat portion by a separate fastening member, such as a
male/female clip. According to one such embodiment, the barrel
member may comprise a component of a tab member. Further, when the
barrel member is seated the tab member can be under a shear load
and may have been elastically deformed thereby. Accordingly, the
tab can act as a spring and tend to push the barrel out of its
seat. In such embodiments, the barrel is kept in the seat with the
aid of a countervailing fastening member. In combination, the
countervailing fastening member and the barrel member are capable
of holding the cover portions in a fixed relation such that they
prevent rattle.
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes
of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for
purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view drawing
of an embodiment 100 comprising an automobile steering column
cover. The cover comprises a top portion 102 and a bottom portion
104. The bottom portion 104 includes a lateral guide member 100 and
a track member 112 attached thereto, and in sliding communication
with the lateral guide member. The top portion 102 has a tab member
120 and a barrel member 122 disposed on the tab member 120 and
adapted to mate with the lateral guide member 110 and track member
112.
With further reference to FIG. 1, the bottom portion 104 has a
female clip 130 disposed on an inside surface of the bottom portion
104, and adapted to receive a male clip 140 disposed on the top
portion 102. According to this drawing the top member also has a
fastener tab 160, which is adapted to seat on a ledge 150. The
fastener tab further comprises a through-hole 162 adapted to
receive a fastener such as a bolt or machine screw. The
through-hole may be adjacent to, and in communication with, a
structure, such as a grommet, adapted to receive the same fastener
installed in the through-hole. Also according to FIG. 1, the top
portion 102 further comprises a rib member 170, and the bottom
portion 104 further comprises a trough member 180. In this drawing,
the trough member 180 is adapted to receive the rib member 170 in a
pivoting relation. Accordingly, the top portion 102 and bottom
portion 104 can pivot relative to each other by mating the rib
member 170 with the trough member 180.
Turning now to FIG. 2, a blow-up view of the lateral guide member
110 and track member 112. According to this example, the track
member 112 is broken down into three regions. A straight rail
region 118, a seat region 114, and a corner region 116. In this
embodiment, the barrel member 122 is inserted into the lateral
guide member 110, slides down the track member 111 and snaps into
the seat region 114.
FIG. 3 sets forth a process embodiment for assembling the steering
column cover 100 shown in the preceding figures. According to the
illustrative embodiment set forth in FIG. 3, a first step is to
insert the tabs 120 into the lateral guide members 110. In a second
illustrative step, the rib members 170 are inserted into the trough
members 180 thereby placing the top portion 102 into a pivoting
relation with the bottom portion 104. A third step is to pivot one
or more of the portions so as to further engage the barrel members
122 located on the tabs 120 with the track member 111.
Additionally, this motion engages or further engages the male clips
140 with the female clips 130. The pivoting motion is continued
until the barrel member 122 seats in the seating region 114, the
male clips 140 fully engage the female clips 130, and the fastener
tabs 160 seat against the ledge 150. At the point when each of the
foregoing fastening components are fully engaged, the through-holes
162 of the fastener tabs are aligned with the through-holes 152 of
the lower portion. Thus, the through holes 152 and 162 are in
sliding communication with each other and are capable of receiving
the same fastener. An additional step can include installing a
fastener, such as but not limited to, a bolt or machine screw in
the through-holes 152 and 162. In some embodiments, the fastener
can also be installed in a grommet 164, which is in alignment with
the through-holes 152 and 162 and adapted to receive the same
fastener installed in the through-holes 152 and 162.
The embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and
apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without
departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended
to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they
come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents
thereof.
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